Local golf leagues hit links to begin their seasons

Opportunity House League and Sand Trappers always welcome new members

The members of the Opportunity House Golf Leage are (from left to right): Sam Hankins (vice president), Rand Bishop (president), Lee Smith, Jim Jackson (scheduler) and Bill Miller (secretary).

JOHN DOMANSKY/ SPECIAL TO THE TIMES-NEWS

By JOHN DOMANSKYTimes-News Correspondent

Published: Friday, April 11, 2014 at 9:31 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, April 11, 2014 at 9:31 p.m.

With the weather finally turning warmer, the action at the various golf leagues in the area is starting to heat up.

For those not familiar with golf leagues, they are an excellent way to meet people, enjoy some fellowship time on the course and have a great time.

The Opportunity House and the Sand Trappers are two local golf leagues looking for participants to join the fun in their 2014 seasons at Crooked Creek Golf Club in Hendersonville.

For those who are looking to play in a nine-hole league, the Opportunity House Golf League plays nine holes on Monday, Thursday and Friday mornings, from 9 to 10 a.m, April through September.

"Golfers can choose to play on one, two or all three of those days. The entry fee is $25 per session for each of the three days, with $5 going to benefit the programs at Opportunity House. New players can come join at any time," said Opportunity House League President Rand Bishop.

The Opportunity House League is open to both men and women.

"Results each day are flighted, depending on how many golfers are playing on a particular day. Points are worth 20 cents each and are awarded in each flight. Monetary awards are given at a banquet at the end of the season. Twilight best-ball foursomes and cookouts are also held during the season," said Bishop.

The 18-hole, Sand Trappers league is comprised of approximately 50 male golfers of varying ages and skill levels.

They play on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, with tee times between 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.

In addition to green and cart fees, there is a $35 annual entry fee per player that goes toward point-based prizes, a Fourth of July picnic and winnings, which are distributed at an end-of season breakfast meeting held in early November.

"While our skill levels and ages may vary greatly, our focus is on fellowship and a common love for the great game of golf. Our oldest member is Charles Johnson who will be turning 91 next month. He served with the Marines Fifth Division who fought at Guadacanal and New Britain in World War II," said Sand Trappers Secretary/Treasurer Julian Wells.

"We have one 86 year-old charter member, Paul Richards, who has eight lifetime holes-in-one, all of which occurred during league play with the Sand Trappers," said Wells.

"We have five or six members who show up in May from Florida, then they leave in the September/October timeframe," said Sand Trappers Past President Leo A. Gawor Jr.

For more information on the 18-hole, Sand Trappers Golf League, go to www.sandtrappersgl.wordpress.com.

For information on the nine-hole, Opportunity House Golf League, contact Rand Bishop at (828) 697-0090 or Jim Jackson at (828) 595-3036.

<p>With the weather finally turning warmer, the action at the various golf leagues in the area is starting to heat up.</p><p>For those not familiar with golf leagues, they are an excellent way to meet people, enjoy some fellowship time on the course and have a great time.</p><p>The Opportunity House and the Sand Trappers are two local golf leagues looking for participants to join the fun in their 2014 seasons at Crooked Creek Golf Club in Hendersonville.</p><p>For those who are looking to play in a nine-hole league, the Opportunity House Golf League plays nine holes on Monday, Thursday and Friday mornings, from 9 to 10 a.m, April through September.</p><p>"Golfers can choose to play on one, two or all three of those days. The entry fee is $25 per session for each of the three days, with $5 going to benefit the programs at Opportunity House. New players can come join at any time," said Opportunity House League President Rand Bishop.</p><p>The Opportunity House League is open to both men and women.</p><p>"Results each day are flighted, depending on how many golfers are playing on a particular day. Points are worth 20 cents each and are awarded in each flight. Monetary awards are given at a banquet at the end of the season. Twilight best-ball foursomes and cookouts are also held during the season," said Bishop.</p><p>The 18-hole, Sand Trappers league is comprised of approximately 50 male golfers of varying ages and skill levels. </p><p>They play on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, with tee times between 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. </p><p>In addition to green and cart fees, there is a $35 annual entry fee per player that goes toward point-based prizes, a Fourth of July picnic and winnings, which are distributed at an end-of season breakfast meeting held in early November.</p><p>"While our skill levels and ages may vary greatly, our focus is on fellowship and a common love for the great game of golf. Our oldest member is Charles Johnson who will be turning 91 next month. He served with the Marines Fifth Division who fought at Guadacanal and New Britain in World War II," said Sand Trappers Secretary/Treasurer Julian Wells.</p><p>"We have one 86 year-old charter member, Paul Richards, who has eight lifetime holes-in-one, all of which occurred during league play with the Sand Trappers," said Wells.</p><p>"We have five or six members who show up in May from Florida, then they leave in the September/October timeframe," said Sand Trappers Past President Leo A. Gawor Jr.</p><p>For more information on the 18-hole, Sand Trappers Golf League, go to www.sandtrappersgl.wordpress.com.</p><p>For information on the nine-hole, Opportunity House Golf League, contact Rand Bishop at (828) 697-0090 or Jim Jackson at (828) 595-3036.</p>